Made to run

The need for running
Our ancestors had to run for their daily meals.
But since the Stone Age human species has slowed down a lot in the way we gather our food.
We evolved from active hunters to passive buyers of ready made food.
But we still own our ability to run and the human body still has features that are only used for running.

Why we are made to run
Our Achilles tendons, arched feet, big bums, a nuchal ligament at the back of our necks (to keep our heads still as we run), and our unique possibility to sweat (to cool off our body) allow us to run for hours and even days. The longer the distance the bigger our advantage compared with any animal; even the antelope.

How all the systems together stabilize the body passively and naturally:

Why we keep on running
The reason why we run today doesn’t seem as obvious as for our ancestors, who had to hunt to fill their stomach.
But running still makes us feel alive and aware of the moment, and how we move and grow through time.
And there’s always something you can improve, wether it is endurance, speed, strength or other health aspects.
The challenges of running and the ongoing process of progress makes us feel good.

Running races
Running for leisure with a competitive aspect, like a Marathon or other race, has been done since 1829 BC, when the Irish Tailteann Games were organized to honor the goddess Tailtiu.

With the growing popularity of running races, the variety of races has grown too, from a 5K to a multi days race, and from a Marathon road race to an ultra desert run.

Although the number of races is still growing, there seems to be a gradual shift towards more small scale Trail running and Adventure running events, with more focus on nature and camaraderie and less on competing.

The secret to happiness is right at your feet from book preview Born to Run, by Chris McDougall

The freedom of running
What sets running apart from other sports, is that everybody can do it anywhere an anytime, no matter our age, background, income, or education.

There’s a type of training for every kind of runner, lifestyle, experience, goal and interest.
You can run on your own, or combine it with family, friends or work. You can run from home, join a club, or while traveling, in cities and mountains, in snow and in desert. The possibilities are endless.

It also helps you to balance your life and make you feel more happy and healthy.
Running makes you an athlete in all aspects of life.